Performance Appraisal

Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all other staff employed by her Department received each level of performance rating in their end of year performance assessment for 2013-14.

Theresa Villiers: There are currently three members of staff, 3% of the workforce, employed by my Department who are declared disabled, and who received a performance assessment for 2013-14. Given the small numbers involved, it would not be appropriate to provide any further breakdown as to do so would risk the identification of the individuals concerned.
	For staff grades A to F, who are due to receive their 2013-14 annual performance assessment; 13% of staff have received an outstanding box marking, 86% received a good box marking and 1% received a must improve box marking for the 2013-14 reporting year.

Electoral Register: Northern Ireland

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with reference to the answer of 1 April 2014, Official Report, columns 555-6W, on electoral register, Northern Ireland, what actions resulted from his discussions with the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office concerning the schools programme for electoral registration.

Greg Clark: The Government has made the Rock Enrol learning resource freely available on the gov.uk and Times Education Supplement website among others.
	Additionally, the recent introduction of online registration in England and Wales will make it more convenient for young people to register to vote.

Electoral Register: Young People

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with reference to the answer of 28 January 2014, Official Report, column 510W, on electoral register: young people, how much funding his Department has made available to (a) Rock Enroll and (b) Bite the Ballot in each year for which data is available; and how many people each such organisation has directly registered in each year for which data is available.

Greg Clark: The Government is supportive of organisations that promote democratic engagement such as Bite the Ballot.
	Cabinet Office and Bite the Ballot co-developed the Rock Enrol learning resource in 2012-13. The value of the contract was £25,700. The Government has made Rock Enrol freely available on the gov.uk and Times Education Supplement websites.

Academic Year

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the economic effects of deregulating school holidays on (a) tourism jobs in seaside areas and (b) seaside economies.

Matthew Hancock: The Government is giving more schools greater flexibility to adapt the shape of the school year in the interests of their pupils’ education.
	While this will extend an existing flexibility to a greater number of schools, our advice will continue to include a clear expectation of schools working with each other and the local authority to coordinate dates to avoid unnecessary disruption to parents and their employers.
	The Department has consulted with representatives of the tourist industry. Where schools choose to change their holiday dates, following discussion locally with parents and local businesses, there may well be a positive impact on seaside economies. In areas of high-seasonal employment, for example, small variations to term dates agreed locally may help parents to holiday outside of peak periods.

Dominic Cummings

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on which official visits Dominic Cummings accompanied him in 2014.

Matthew Hancock: Dominic Cummings has not accompanied the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) on any official visits in 2014.

Dominic Cummings

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on how many occasions Dominic Cummings was granted a visitor pass to his Department in 2014.

Matthew Hancock: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, the Government does not comment on security matters.

Teachers: Training

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many places for initial teacher training starting in 2014 have been allocated to (a) Schools Direct and (b) higher education providers.

David Laws: We initially allocated 15,254 places to School Direct and 23,095 places to higher education institutions for the 2014/15 academic year.
	Further details of the initial allocations have been published on the gov.uk website:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/initial-teacher-training-allocations-for-academic-year-2014-to-2015
	We will publish final allocation information reflecting any changes later this year.

Euston Station

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of Crossrail 2 works required to deal with extra passengers at Euston station resulting from High Speed 2.

Stephen Hammond: The Government has provided £2 million for a funding and financing study which is looking at the potential overall costs of Crossrail 2, and whether at least 50% of those costs could be met by sources other than central Government. The study is due to report in the autumn. It will take into account in a high-level way the costs of building or upgrading stations along the route, including at Euston.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Fareham

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham to be fully operational.

Stephen Hammond: The National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) will commence operational duties in September 2014 when it takes on the operational areas previously covered by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) at Solent and Portland. The capacity and coverage of the NMOC will geographically expand as the new national network is incrementally implemented around the UK. The NMOC will be fully operational once this is complete in December 2015 as planned.

Railways: Compensation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with train operating companies on the nature and level of compensation available to passengers for delayed and cancelled services; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond: All train operating companies (TOCs) are required under their franchise agreement to have in place a passenger's charter which will include arrangements for compensation for passengers.
	In connection with the severe weather related disruption earlier this year, the Department for Transport (DFT) sought to understand what First Great Western's proposals on compensation were likely to be. Where discussions have taken place with other TOCs these will also have been to ensure that the DFT was aware of their intentions and not to seek to require these to be changed.
	An improved system of compensation based on delays to individual journeys, known as delay/repay, is being introduced for all passengers in place of the system of poor performance discounts and optional void days for season ticket holders. Introduction is taking place as franchises are let following competitions and opportunities arise within direct awards and existing franchises. Where discussions have taken place between the DFT and TOCs these will have been in this context.

River Thames: Bridges

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had on the potential construction of the (a) Lower Thames Crossing and (b) Thames Gateway Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Goodwill: Since consultation on options for a new Lower Thames crossing closed in July 2013, the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) has continued to discuss the potential construction of the Lower Thames Crossing with his officials and colleagues. My right hon. Friend made a Written Statement to the House on 12 December 2013 and intends to make an announcement on the further consideration of Options A and C as soon as possible.
	As for the Thames Gateway Bridge, it is for the Mayor and Transport for London to decide which schemes in London to develop and promote. The Secretary of State for Transport has regular meetings with the Mayor of London at which various matters are discussed.

West Coast Railway Line

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many carriages in Virgin West Coast's nine-car pendolino fleet will be re-configured to create more standard class passenger seats under the terms of the new rail franchise agreement; and where such re-configuration work will be carried out.

Stephen Hammond: Twenty one of the Pendolino fleet will be refurbished to convert the first class coach G in each of the 9 car Class 390 to standard class. The location of the refurbishment works has not been determined.

Alexander Litvinenko

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to conclude her consideration of the Coroner's ruling in the case of Alexander Litvinenko; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), is giving fresh consideration to the exercise of her discretion to establish an inquiry following the Court of Appeal’s judgment of 14 February 2014 relating to Mr. Litvinenko. Once this is concluded, a statement will be made. In the meantime, the Government continues to co-operate fully with the inquest into Mr Litvinenko’s death.

Asylum: Syria

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Syrian people have been resettled in the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme since its launch; and what assessment she has made of the contribution made by (a) the UK and (b) other European countries to the UN goal for 30,000 Syrian refugees to be admitted to other countries by the end of 2014.

Karen Bradley: To date 50 refugees have arrived in the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme (VPR). We will continue to bring groups here on a regular basis, and envisage that several hundred people will be helped over the next three years. The VPR scheme does not form part of the UN quota but runs in parallel with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees' (UNHCR) own Syria Humanitarian Admission Programme. The Government has been clear that this is a crisis of international proportions and needs a fitting response from the international community. The UNHCR is best placed to comment on the policies of other countries regarding Syrian refugees. With 2.9 million refugees now in Syria’s neighbouring countries, we continue to believe that prioritising humanitarian aid is the best way to ensure that the UK’s help has the greatest impact.

Nitrous Oxide: Sales

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what actions she is taking to restrict sales of nitrous oxide (a) at festivals and nightclubs and (b) through the internet;
	(2)  if she will review the definition of butane product in the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999.

Norman Baker: The Government has no plans to review the definition of butane in the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999.
	We recently wrote to all summer festival organisers to highlight concerns we have about the availability of gases such as nitrous oxide at festivals and asked them to take steps to prevent the sale of these gases. We have received a number of positive responses to this request.
	Nitrous oxide has a number of legitimate medical and industrial uses, but any suggestion of misuse, particularly by young people is of concern. It is currently an offence to sell any gas for the purpose of causing intoxication to anyone under the age of 18, including over the internet, under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985.

Passports

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to address the current backlog of applications within the Passport Office.

James Brokenshire: On 12 June, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), set out to the House the measures HM Passport Office is putting in place to respond to the exceptional current levels of passport demand.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 12 June 2014, Official Report, columns 693-94 for details.

Passports

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the issuing of passports; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Numerous representations have been made both about the general passport issuing process as well as on behalf of individual applicants. They have been received from Members of Parliament and the public. Those with concerns about imminent travel plans for individuals will be prioritised. All will receive a reply. On 12 June the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), made a statement in the House where she announced the arrangements we are putting in place to deal with the current level of demand for passports.

Passports

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passport applications have been processed under the expedited service in each month since June 2010.

James Brokenshire: The table below shows the proportion of passport applications that were processed under premium or fast-track services since June 2010.
	
		
			 Proportion of all applications which were processed under premium or fast-track services 
			  Percentage 
			 2010  
			 June 8.9 
			 July 12.3 
			 August 13.8 
			 September 10.5 
			 October 10.6 
			 November 8.8 
			 December 14.9 
			   
			 2011  
			 January 6.9 
			 February 6.0 
			 March 6.2 
			 April 8.1 
			 May 7.5 
			 June 8.7 
			 July 12.5 
			 August 16.0 
			 September 11.2 
			 October 12.2 
			 November 9.8 
			 December 16.4 
			   
		
	
	
		
			 2012  
			 January 7.3 
			 February 6.4 
			 March 6.9 
			 April 7.2 
			 May 8.3 
			 June 10.5 
			 July 14.0 
			 August 20.2 
			 September 15.0 
			 October 12.9 
			 November 11.1 
			 December 16.6 
			   
			 2013  
			 January 8.4 
			 February 6.8 
			 March 8.1 
			 April 7.8 
			 May 9.3 
			 June 11.1 
			 July 15.1 
			 August 18.2. 
			 September 13.0 
			 October 12.3 
			 November 10.1 
			 December 13.5 
			   
			 2014  
			 January 7.4 
			 February 5.9 
			 March 5.5 
			 April 6.8 
			 May 8.0 
			 Total 9.8

Newport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions on potential job losses in Newport took place between his Department, the Home Office and Steria prior to the decision to privatise the Ministry of Justice Shared Services.

Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice are entering into detailed discussions with Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) regarding the future delivery of their back office services, with the intention of awarding a contract in August 2014. We expect this to bring increased savings and efficiency in back-office functions, provide further benefits across wider Government and offer better value for money to the taxpayer.
	SSCL have stated their intention of providing 12 months job protection for all transferring staff from the point of transfer in October 2014. This means that there will be no compulsory redundancies during this period. No decisions have been made to close buildings and we expect all sites to remain open during this period.
	Following the transfer of staff, services and IT, there will be a stabilisation stage during which SSCL will look at how the service is currently delivered. No decisions will be made until SSCL has had the opportunity to fully understand the operation.
	We will continue to work with staff, trade unions and other stakeholders to assess any impacts on staff.

Newport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish all impact assessments his Department has made on privatising the Ministry of Justice Shared Services in Newport.

Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice are entering into detailed discussions with Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) regarding the future delivery of their back office services, with the intention of awarding a contract in August 2014. We expect this to bring increased savings and efficiency in back-office functions, provide further benefits across wider Government and offer better value for money to the taxpayer.
	Prior to this decision, the two private sector options were compared against the option to remain a standalone organisation and assessed using evaluation criteria that considered IT, cost, staff impacts and the service to our customers. The assessments will not be published as they are commercially sensitive documents.
	We will continue to work with staff, trade unions and other stakeholders to assess any impacts on staff.

Prisoners: Iraq

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to achieve a prisoner transfer agreement between Iraq and the UK; and what steps he is taking to achieve a prisoner transfer agreement between Iraq and the UK with regard to Danny Fitzsimons.

Jeremy Wright: The negotiation of a prisoner transfer agreement between the United Kingdom and Iraq is at an advanced stage. Officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in discussion with the Iraqi authorities and we hope to finalise the agreement at the earliest possible opportunity. Once in place British nationals imprisoned in Iraq and Iraqi nationals imprisoned here, will be able to serve their sentences in their own country. Given the security situation in Iraq, we have reminded the Iraqi Government of its important duty of care for foreign nationals held in its prisons and have asked for urgent advice on their contingency planning.

Accommodation Agencies

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector (a) at the start of a new tenancy and (b) when a tenancy is renewed.

Kris Hopkins: My Department has not made its own estimate of the average lettings agency fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector but has taken note of the figures reported by independent organisations, such as the Office of Fair Trading, Shelter and Which.
	The Government is currently legislating through the Consumer Rights Bill to ensure there is full transparency on fees charged by all letting agencies, ending hidden fees. By contrast, I would observe that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented that the policy proposals of HM Opposition on fees would harm tenants, as it would lead to:
	“increases in rents to cover the additional costs visited upon landlords”
	and a
	“reduction in supply”
	(RICS, Letting agent fees for tenants: a tale of two amendments, 15 May 2014).

Care Homes

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to support (a) public sector and (b) private sector provision of extra care housing facilities for older people; and if he will make a statement.

Kris Hopkins: The Department of Health is providing £315 million over five years for the Care and Support Specialised Housing fund. The fund is administered by the Homes and Communities Agency and, within London, by the Greater London Authority. The main aim of the fund is to support and accelerate the development of the specialised housing market for older people and disabled adults, which includes extra care housing for older people. The successful bids for Phase 1 of the fund were announced last year and will deliver over 3,500 affordable homes. The prospectus for Phase 2 should be published later this year. Phase 2 will build on the earlier phase and will seek to include developments which work across sectors to deliver more specialised housing.
	Extra care housing for older people is also funded through the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Affordable Homes Programme. The allocations made outside London for the current 2011-15 programme include funding for over 1,100 extra care homes. In addition, extra care schemes are eligible for investment through the range of private sector investment programmes run through the Homes and Communities Agency; for example the Builders Finance Fund and Build To Rent. Details can be found on the Agency’s website:
	http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/ourwork
	Allocations for the 2015-18 Affordable Homes Programme are expected to be announced in July.
	Older people have a wide range of different housing needs, ranging from suitable and appropriately located market housing through to residential institutions. On 6 March, we published our planning guidance, which contains guidance on assessing housing need, and requires local councils to consider housing for the elderly against their housing requirement. The guidance requires plan makers to consider the size, location and quality of dwellings needed in the future for older people, which will be clearly set out in the Local Plan. We are clear that local councils and mainstream housing providers need to start taking older peoples housing far more seriously and increase the quality, choice and provision of housing for older people.

Fire Services: Industrial Disputes

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish his assessment of the robustness of resilience arrangements in place during periods of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union in the event of strikes of duration greater than 24 hours.

Brandon Lewis: The responsibility for the preparation of business continuity plans to deal with industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union, rests with individual fire and rescue authorities. Fire and rescue authorities’ business continuity plans have performed well in the last 14 periods of strike action by the Fire Brigades Union, including the 24-hour strike on 12 June. We expect them to perform well in any periods of longer duration.

Floods: Bournemouth

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many requests from residents of Bournemouth East constituency for financial support following the winter flooding have been granted; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: This Government has provided a range of financial support schemes to help individuals, businesses, farmers and local authorities return to normality after the winter's severe weather: these include council tax relief, business rate relief, the business support scheme, and repair and renew grants.
	The Government deals with local authorities who administer support schemes on its behalf. It does not deal directly with residents and does not therefore hold information at constituency level in terms of requests for financial support that have been granted: that is a matter for the local authorities concerned. I can say, however, that Bournemouth borough council has received some £350,000 to repair local roads damaged by severe weather, a further £268,000 from the Department for Transport's Potholes Fund and my Department is aware that as at 25 June, the council has received 70 claims for council tax relief totalling some £14,000, one claim for business rate relief and three applications from residents for repair and renew grant to help build better flood protection into their homes. The Government retrospectively reimburses councils for the costs incurred from its flood recovery schemes.

New Towns

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many expressions of interest in response to the Locally-led Garden Cities Prospectus have been (a) received and (b) considered to date.

Kris Hopkins: Garden cities are not just housing developments: they are extremely complex infrastructure projects, and high quality proposals will take time to develop. We have had a number of positive informal discussions with localities in response to our locally led garden cities prospectus, published in April. We expect Expressions of Interest to be made formally once proposals are properly worked up.

Regeneration: Thames Gateway

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what dates the Thames Gateway Strategic Group has met since 2010.

Kris Hopkins: The Thames Gateway Strategic Group is a local authority led partnership that was set up by local authorities to provide strategic direction and targeted solutions to realise the area’s potential. Their Secretariat has confirmed that the Group met on the following dates:
	2011: 16 February, 22 June, 7 September, 1 December
	2012: 20 March, 9 July, 20 September, 20 December
	2013: 19 March, 11 June, 22 October
	No meetings of the Group have taken place in 2014 to date, but a meeting is provisionally scheduled for September.

Valuation of Life and Health Interdepartmental Group

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what monetary thresholds were applied to the cost-per-quality adjusted life year quoted in the evidence submitted as part of his Department's work with the Inter-departmental Group for the Valuation of Life and Health review in 2008;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's submission to the inter-departmental Group for the Valuation of Life and Health review, including evidence submitted to the series of interviews with his Department's staff conducted by researchers from the University of Leeds and published in 2008;
	(3)  what the explicit monetary value per quality-adjusted life was in the context of the Fire and Resilience Directorate, as quoted as part his Department's submission to the Inter-departmental Group for the Valuation of Life and Health review in 2008.

Brandon Lewis: The information requested is not held by my Department. I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Department of Health, the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), on 26 June 2014, Official Report, column 283W, which explains the historical context to this review under the last Administration.

Burma

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UK aid to Burma is channelled through Burmese government-approved organisations or mechanisms.

Alan Duncan: The UK does not provide funding directly to the Burmese Government. We publish details of which organisations receive DFID funding, and how much they have received, on the
	www.gov.uk
	Development Tracker.

Developing Countries: Disability

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department's country offices are encouraged to seek the views and input of people with disabilities in the design and delivery of their programmes.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID recognises the importance of people with disabilities having influence in the programmes and decisions which affect them. In DFID country offices, stakeholder engagement and participation, including with people with disabilities, is a fundamental part of strategic decision making and programme management.

Tax Evasion

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to support the adoption of a target to co-operate globally to reduce substantially international tax evasion and avoidance in the Open Working Group negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK supports a target to cooperate globally to reduce substantially international tax evasion and avoidance. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
	At last year’s Lough Erne G8 summit, leaders agreed to introduce a new international standard of automatic exchange of information to help countries combat tax evasion. We are working in the G20 to develop a roadmap that identifies obstacles to developing country participation in this new global standard. We are also working in the G20 to identify Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) issues most relevant to developing countries and to recommend actions to address them.
	The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.

Government Departments: ICT

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what audit he has made of (a) ICL mainframes, (b) IBM mainframes and (c) other legacy ICT systems in Government Departments and the availability of skills needed to maintain them; and when each relevant maintenance contract falls due.

Francis Maude: Government Digital Service (GDS) has worked to identify legacy IT equipment, which includes a small number of important legacy IBM and ICL mainframes. To ensure these are effectively managed Government is creating a Crown Hosting Service, which is due to go live next year.
	In many cases Departments are locked into contracts signed over 10 years ago, by the previous Administration, which means they are dependent on suppliers to manage these systems.
	GDS is supporting Departments to bring in new skilled officials to address a long-standing lack of digital skills.

Energy: Meters

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to which geographical areas the roll-out programme for smart meters will extend; and when their programme will happen in each area.

Gregory Barker: In Great Britain, we are adopting a supplier-led approach to the roll-out of smart meters. Energy suppliers are required to take 'all reasonable steps' to install smart meters to all of their domestic and smaller non-domestic customers in Wales, England and Scotland by 2020.
	There is no centralised roll-out strategy and suppliers are free to plan the roll-out in a way that suits their business and the needs of their customers, subject to the requirement to complete the roll-out by 2020. They are considering a range of factors in developing their strategies for this, such as the geographical location of their customers, the age of the current meter stock, and the extent to which they wish to respond to customer demand.

Fracking

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to simplify regulations applying to the UK's shale gas industry.

Michael Fallon: The Department works closely with the relevant regulators and industry to ensure that the regulatory system is as streamlined as possible, while remaining robust enough to safeguard public safety and the environment.
	In order to help companies navigate our regulatory system, the Department published in December a Regulatory Roadmap setting out all the regulations that applies to shale at the exploration stage.
	We have already reduced unnecessary duplication in the regulatory system for shale gas, clarifying and streamlining the regulation of exploration activity through the Environment Agency, including developing a single application form for permits. The average waiting time for environmental permits for onshore oil and gas is eight to nine weeks. We will introduce standard rules environmental permits later this year cutting permitting times for low risk activities to two to four weeks.
	The Department of Communities and Local Government published planning guidance for onshore oil & gas projects last July, which makes clear that planning authorities when assessing applications should assume that the environmental and health and safety regulatory regimes operate effectively rather than duplicating effort.
	We are also consulting on proposals designed to simplify current procedures for obtaining access to underground land. This consultation is open until 15 August 2014 and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, could lead to legislative proposals.

Fracking

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many hydraulic fracturing licences are pending approval in (a) England, (b) Lancashire and (c) Hyndburn constituency.

Michael Fallon: There is no "hydraulic fracturing licence". DECC issues petroleum exploration and development licences (PEDLs). However, PEDLs are not specific to shale gas and do not give permission for operations, but grant exclusivity to licensees in relation to hydrocarbons (including shale gas but also other forms) within a particular area. All operations, such as drilling, hydraulic fracturing or production, however require planning permission, and applications are subject to public consultation. They also require access agreement with relevant landowner(s), Environment Agency permits, HSE scrutiny, and DECC consent before operations can commence. DECC is not currently considering any applications for hydraulic fracturing in the UK.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the skills level of jobseeker's allowance claimants aged between (a) 18 and 21 and (b) 22 and 24 years.

Esther McVey: All jobseekers are assessed at the beginning of their claim to jobseeker's allowance for potential skills needs that are a barrier to them finding work. Where a skills need is identified, claimants are referred to courses.
	This Government is committed to ensuring jobseekers have the skills they need to get into work. In 2012-13 171,100 young people aged 19 to 24 and claiming benefit started a learning course, an increase of 30% over 2011-12.

Separated People: Advisory Services

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department has spent on developing the Sorting Out Separation web app; how many people are actively using that app; what the cost is per user of the app; what assessment he has made of the value for money of the app; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that future online development in this area represents good value for money.

Steve Webb: The costs of the Sorting out Separation web app are £417,500 to date. This includes initial build, maintenance and development, hosting, videos and promotion.
	Contracts and services for Sorting out Separation have been procured using the online ‘Contracts Finder’ and CloudStore (‘G Cloud’ framework). Both of these are flexible, low-cost methods of commissioning, which has enabled the Department to maintain a strong focus on value for money from initial development to live running.
	As of 31 May 2014 there were 180,000 visitors to Sorting out Separation, which equates to an approximate cost per user of £2.30. We have commissioned work on search engine optimisation to maximise awareness and usage and we anticipate that this will sharply reduce the cost per user in due course.

Social Security Benefits

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons for regional variations in the number of sanctions issued to benefit claimants by job centres.

Esther McVey: Local and district management are responsible for ensuring Jobcentre Plus staff apply labour market conditionality fairly and consistently and to make sure referrals to decision makers are appropriate and of consistently good quality.
	Decisions are subject to quality assurance process to ensure that decision makers continuously apply the law fairly and consistency.

Arts: North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which arts organisations and events in the North West he has visited since his appointment.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Sajid Javid), has visited the following organisations and attended following events in the North West since his appointment:
	Mellor Mill, Stockport
	Lady Lever Art Gallery, the Wirral
	Tate Liverpool
	Merseyside Maritime Museum
	International Festival of Business, Liverpool

Tourism: Yorkshire and the Humber

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of (a) Yorkshire and the Humber, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency to the UK's tourism economy.

Helen Grant: The latest regional-breakdown estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), published on 20 February 2014, show that in 2011 tourism in Yorkshire and the Humber directly contributed a gross value-added (GVA) of around £2.6 billion to the economy. This is 5.3% of the UK's tourism economy, which is valued in this study at £48.7 billion. The same estimates show that North Yorkshire contributed a GVA of £0.89 billion, which represents 1.8% of the UK's tourism economy. We do not have an estimate of the contribution of the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency to the UK's tourism economy.

Agricultural Products: Exports

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he is making in increasing exports of UK agricultural produce; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: The Government and industry first launched the joint Food and Drink International Action plan in 2012 and a refreshed plan last October. The plan commits us to deliver £500 million of value to the UK economy by supporting 1,000 companies by October 2015. In 2013, exports of UK food and drink reached £18.9 billion from £18.2 billion in 2012. In 2013, we opened 112 markets for animals and animal products, helping increase exports to non-EU markets by £179 million to £1.35 billion. This year, we have opened 54 new markets for animals and animal products.
	The Government has been successful in breaking down restrictions relating to BSE to provide greater opportunities to increase beef and lamb exports. Following lifting of the BSE ban by the US earlier this year, enabling export of beef once technical negotiations have been concluded, a memorandum of understanding on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies has been agreed with China providing a framework for negotiations. Once opened, these markets could be worth up to £181 million per annum. The Government and industry continue to work together to increase food and drink exports.

Air Pollution

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the introduction of further low emission zones outside London to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in ambient air.

Dan Rogerson: The Government has funded a number of local authorities outside London to investigate the feasibility of low emission zones (LEZs) within their areas, through the annual Air Quality Grant Scheme targeted at reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and accelerating compliance with EU limit values.
	This ongoing support is focused on addressing barriers and looking for practical options for putting in place NO2-related LEZs and similar measures.

Floods

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the contribution by the Prime Minister of 18 June 2014, Official Report, column 1116W, what extra resource his Department will provide to deal with extended eligibility for claims made under the (a) Farming Recovery Fund and (b) support for fishermen schemes.

George Eustice: The Prime Minister in his comments mentioned looking at the eligibility for grants for those who had suffered from the winter flooding to earlier flooding incidents, and we are doing so. The Government has provided a number of funding support mechanisms for those affected by the winter floods. Because of their origin as EU grant schemes, neither of the two grants which are referred to here, the Farming Recovery Fund and the European Fisheries Fund, are open to extending eligibility.

Food Supply

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many weeks supply of food stocks are routinely stored within the UK.

George Eustice: The Government does not hold stocks of food. The UK Food Security Assessment, published in 2010 and subsequently reviewed biennially, is an evidence based analysis of our food security looking ahead ten years. The assessment considers the global context to UK food security as well as the resilience of UK food supply chains, and concludes that the UK has good levels of resilience based on diverse sources of supply as well as strong domestic production. The holding of stockpiles of food is not considered to be a valid indicator of food security.

Food Supply

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to improve the UK's food production to supply ratio; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: We are working with farmers, food and drink manufacturers and retailers to ensure the UK has the right climate to attract increased inward investment and to enable UK producers to grow and compete on global and domestic markets.
	To support the agricultural industry to improve productivity and competitiveness, the Government is investing £160 million in an industry-led UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies. Other activities in support of the food and drink sector include: enabling consumers to select British products through country of origin labelling; working with individual sectors, such as dairy and livestock, to increase their competitiveness; and supporting industry activities to develop a skilled workforce and increase innovation.
	We are also improving public procurement of food and catering services so that it contributes to a competitive UK food and farming sector.
	To help UK producers grasp opportunities on the global market, DEFRA and UKTI launched the ‘International Export Action Plan’ and ‘Food is GREAT’ campaign. The Export Action Plan outlines an ambitious target, jointly agreed by Government and industry, to help 1,000 UK food and drink companies with their international growth by October 2015, adding a further £500 million to the economy. DEFRA Ministers are working hard to personally visit priority overseas markets, champion the best of British food and break down barriers to trade.

Meat Products: China

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what his Department's priorities are in the negotiations with China concerning the export of meat products other than pork;
	(2)  what progress the Government has made in its negotiations with China on the export of meat products other than pork.

George Eustice: Securing access to Chinese markets for a range of UK products is a key priority in the Government and industry’s Export Action Plan. In addition to our interests on pork, we are working closely with industry and the Chinese authorities to advance negotiations on the export conditions for poultry meat. This trade could be worth up to £70 million a year.
	Over the longer term, we are working to secure market access for beef and lamb exports to China estimated to be worth up to £120 million a year. We have recently agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese authorities and this formally initiates the detailed technical negotiations. This development has been widely welcomed by industry, and while the negotiations are likely to take some time we will seek to conclude them as quickly as we can.
	We are also pressing for early agreement on exports of UK poultry meat and have invited the Chinese authorities to conduct an inward inspection visit as soon as possible. I would encourage any plant interested in exporting to China to ensure it complies fully with Chinese requirements before any inspection visit.
	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson) intends to visit China again this year to advance these and other UK market access interests.

Children: Day Care

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) median and (b) mean value of top-up that the Government will contribute to each child under the tax-free childcare scheme.

Nicky Morgan: The Government has published an Impact Assessment on Tax-Free Childcare here:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-free-childcare-impact-assessment

Corporation Tax: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in corporation tax by businesses registered in Ashfield constituency in each of the last five years; and what proportion of such taxation was paid by small and medium-sized enterprises.

David Gauke: Since 2010, the Government has cut the main rate of corporation tax from 28% to 21%. It will fall further to 20% in April 2015. The small profits rate was cut to 20% in April 2011. These corporation tax cuts will be worth around £9.5 billion per year to businesses by 2016-17.
	The table below sets out the amount of corporation tax liable for payment by businesses with a registered address in the Ashfield parliamentary constituency for accounting periods ending in the past five years. The latest year for which figures are available is 2011-12.
	
		
			  Corporation tax liability (£ million) 
			 2007-08 36 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 29 
			 2009-10 26 
			 2010-11 26 
			 2011-12 30 
		
	
	Figures on the amount of tax paid, broken down by company size, are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Lloyds Bank: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will hold discussions with Lloyds Bank on the effect of the proposed closure of its contact centre in Warrington on women workers who cannot re-locate because of (a) childcare or other caring responsibilities and (b) a lack of adequate public transport provision;
	(2)  if he will hold discussions with Lloyds Bank on (a) the proposed closure of its contact centre in Warrington and (b) the possibility of other jobs being based there.

Andrea Leadsom: Lloyds Banking Group is run on a commercial basis. The bank retains its own independent board and management team with responsibility for determining its own strategies and commercial policies including those which may relate to the location of business functions.
	The Government’s shareholding in Lloyds is managed on an arm's length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI). As an engaged shareholder, UKFI works closely with the bank’s management to hold management rigorously to account for performance. UKFI’s role is to manage the investment and ensure that the bank’s strategy maximises value for money for the taxpayer. The Government does not get involved in any of the day to day decisions of Lloyds Bank.

Mapeley

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when assessments have been made of the value for money of the private finance initiative contract between HM Revenue and Customs and Mapeley Steps Contractor Limited; and when the first such assessment was made.

David Gauke: The National Audit Office (NAO) have conducted two value for money assessments on the private finance initiative contract between HM Revenue and Customs and Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited. The first of these, PFI: The STEPS Deal, was published by the NAO on 7 May 2004. The second NAO value for money assessment, HM Revenue and Customs’ Estate Private Finance Deal Eight Years On, was published on 3 December 2009.

Minimum Wage: Northern Ireland

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, column 36W, on minimum wage: Northern Ireland, 
	(1)  whether HM Revenue and Customs' national minimum wage enforcement team have any staff located in Northern Ireland outside the city of Belfast;
	(2)  how many people are employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time in the HM Revenue and Customs national minimum wage enforcement team based in Belfast.

David Gauke: The Government takes the enforcement of national minimum wage (NMW) very seriously and HMRC enforce the NMW legislation on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It does that by investigating all complaints made about employers suspected of not paying the minimum wage, in addition, carrying out targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW across the whole of the UK.
	The National Minimum Wage team in Northern Ireland contains six full-time and two-part-time staff with all using Belfast as a base location.
	However, as I explained in my previous response, HMRC deploys resources to risk, so work relating to a specific geographical area may not always be undertaken by the NMW team based in that area. In addition, the NMW Dynamic Response Team (DRT) provides a multi-agency response to emerging risks, high profile casework and compliance initiatives across the UK.

Revenue and Customs

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the effect on public perception of the efficacy of HM Revenue and Customs of including levels of revenue protection together with levels of additional revenue collected when publicising the effect of compliance activities by HM Revenue and Customs.

David Gauke: It is important that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC’s) methodology for assessing the effects of its compliance activities reflect the full range of impacts of its activities on customer compliance, both to provide accountability for its overall performance and to manage its business and the performance of its compliance teams on a day-to-day basis.
	Revenue protected sets out tax receipts that are protected through HMRC activity. It includes the effects of seizing smuggled goods and the direct cash effects from activity such as preventing repayments, as well as an assessment of the impacts of HMRC activity on future taxpayer behavior. Ensuring that customers are put on the right track for the future, rather than waiting for non-compliance to occur before stepping in, is better for customer, better for the Exchequer, and more efficient for HMRC.
	The concept of revenue protected is also not a new one, it has always been a feature of HMRC’s compliance performance although this component was not separately identified before 2011-12 in external reporting.

Self-employed: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many (a) men and (b) women were registered as self-employed in (i) Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency and (ii) Scotland in each of the last four years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many people registered as self employed in (a) Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency and (b) Scotland reported net income of (i) zero and (ii) below the threshold for national insurance in each of the last four years for which figures are available;
	(3)  what the (a) mean and (b) median age of people registered as self-employed was in (i) Scotland and (ii) Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency in (A) 2010, (B) 2011, (C) 2012 and (D) 2013;
	(4)  how many people were registered as self-employed in (a) Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency and (b) Scotland in each of the last four years for which figures are available.

David Gauke: Estimates of the numbers of individuals with self employment sources are published in HMRC’s National Statistics table 3.10 which is available at the following internet address:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-of-individuals-with-self-employment-sources-2010-to-2011
	The numbers of individuals making zero profits and at other income levels is also shown in these tables.
	Tables for 2009-10 and earlier years are available from the National Archives internet site at the following address:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121102223513/http:/hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm
	Overall, these show a long term trend of growth in the numbers of self-employed people.

Egypt

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Egyptian government on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed the Muslim Brotherhood with former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on 14 May.

Egypt

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he had held with his Egyptian counterpart on the new parliamentary elections law in that country.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has yet to meet his new counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri who was sworn in on 17 June. He did raise the issue of parliamentary elections and the need for political inclusiveness with former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on 14 May before the new law was passed.

Egypt

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the details of the new parliamentary elections law in Egypt.

Hugh Robertson: The new parliamentary elections law, enacted by the decree of former interim President Adly Mansour on 5 June, increases the number of parliamentary seats to 567, with 420 seats to be elected by single member constituencies and 120 through party lists. On 3 June, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), issued a statement urging Egypt’s leaders to ensure that the transition leads towards accountable and democratic governance, underpinned by strong and accountable institutions.

Egypt

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to his Egyptian counterparts on the seven year jail terms handed down to three Al-Jazeera journalists; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 23 June expressing his concerns and urging the Egyptian Government to demonstrate its commitment to freedom of expression by reviewing this case as a matter of urgency.
	The Egyptian ambassador Ashraf el-Kholy was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 23 June. FCO Political Director, Simon Gass told the Egyptian ambassador that the British Government was deeply concerned by the verdicts, and with the procedural shortcomings of the trials. The British ambassador to Egypt also raised this issue in Cairo with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 June. We will continue to raise this case with the Egyptian authorities.

India

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed violence against women and girls with representatives of the Indian government; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: We are committed to working with the Indian Government and international partners to address the problems of gender-based violence, human trafficking and child exploitation and regularly discuss these issues with the Indian authorities. Our high commissioner Sir James Bevan recently met India’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi on 17 June to discuss a range of issues, including gender-based violence and the UK’s plans to host the 2014 Girls Summit aimed at tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has also discussed the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and its efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, with India’s new Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj.
	Through the Department for International Development (DFID) the UK supports measures in India’s 120 poorest districts to promote the empowerment and access to benefits and services of excluded groups. DFID India also provides support to national and state Governments in India, which includes helping girls to complete basic education and further tackling violence against women and girls.

Interception Warrants

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many interception warrants were (a) issued, (b) declined and (c) cancelled by his Department under (i) section 8(1) and (ii) section 8(4) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in the last six months for which figures are available.

Hugh Robertson: It is the long standing policy of successive Governments not to comment on matters of intelligence. I would refer the hon. Member to Section 3 of the 2013 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner, The right hon. Sir Anthony May, which was presented to Parliament pursuant of Section 58(6) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Iran

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the Iranian government about the imprisonment of Pastor Behnam Irani.

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the arrest and imprisonment of Pastor Behnam Irani. We remain deeply concerned about the detention and treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have called for the Iranian Government to protect the rights of all minority groups in Iran and end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith. The UK’s non-resident Chargé d’Affaires raised the issue of freedom of religion with the Iranian authorities during his visit to Iran on 12 March.

Iran

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Iranian govrnment on the arrest of Silas Rabbani, Karaj Farshid, Fathi Alireza, Seyydin, Mohammad Rohangir, Surush Saraie, Escander Rezale, Shahnin Lahouty and Medhei Ameruni; and if he will urge that government to confirm that those people are healthy and safe in the location where they are and that their families be made aware of this.

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the arrests of Silas Rabbani, Karaj Farshid, Fathi Alireza, Seyydin, Mohammad Rohangir, Surush Saraie, Escander Rezale, Shahnin Lahouty and Medhei Ameruni. We remain deeply concerned about the detention and treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have called for the Iranian Government to protect the rights of all minority groups in Iran and end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith. The UK’s non-resident Chargé d’Affaires raised the issue of freedom of religion with the Iranian authorities during his visit to Iran on 12 March.

Meriam Ibrahim

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make urgent representations to his counterpart in South Sudan on the reported re-arrest of Mariam Ibrahim in South Sudan.

Mark Simmonds: Meriam Ibrahim and her family were released on police bail on 26 June following their detention at Khartoum International airport on 24 June. We understand that she and her family are currently staying at the US embassy.
	We will remain closely engaged in this case and continue to call on the Government of Sudan to abide by its international obligations to uphold an individual's right to freedom of religion or belief.

Apprentices

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what quality standards will be imposed on employers when apprenticeship funding moves directly to employers;
	(2)  what factors he took into account in deciding not to adopt a pure provider payment model in reform of apprenticeship funding.

Matthew Hancock: The 2013 consultation on Apprenticeship funding reform sought evidence on the feasibility and impact of three different mechanisms for giving employers more control over the funding. Following consideration of the responses to this consultation, the pure provider payment model was ruled out on the basis that it was the least likely to deliver the intended aim of giving employers true purchasing power.
	The subsequent Technical Consultation published in March 2014 sought views on two models—a PAYE model and an apprenticeship credit model which are consistent with an employer-led Apprenticeships system. We are currently evaluating the responses to this consultation and will announce which payment mechanism we plan to pursue in the autumn.
	We have established a ministerial advisory panel on Apprenticeship standards, made up of experts to advise the Secretary of State on the approval or rejection of employer designed Apprenticeship standards and assessment approaches.
	We will refresh the Skills Funding Agency register of approved Apprenticeship training providers to ensure that only reputable providers are able to offer Apprenticeship training and organisations doing so will be subject to Ofsted inspection.

Apprentices: Greater London

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships there were in London on 31 May (a) 2010 and (b) 2014.

Matthew Hancock: Information on Apprenticeship starts and participation by Region are published in Supplementary Tables to a Statistical First Release:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324021/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/296370/Nov2013_Apprenticeships_Region_Participation.xls
	Apprenticeship data are presented by academic year. Final data for the full 2013/14 academic year will be published in November 2014.

British Irish Council

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in how many meetings of the British-Irish Council he has taken part.

Jo Swinson: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has not held any meetings with the British-Irish Council within the last year

Green Investment Bank

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that the Green Investment Bank does not provide support to (a) the proposed Helius Bioenergy Plant at Avonmouth and (b) other biofuel projects. [R]

Michael Fallon: I have spoken to the Chief Executive of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) about the proposed plant at Avonmouth to ensure he is aware of the concerns that have been raised about it. The impacts of individual proposals for biomass power projects are subject to detailed assessment during the planning approval process and final decisions in each case are a matter for the relevant planning authority. This proposal received planning consent in March 2010. The final consent letter may be found on the DECC Energy Infrastructure webpage at
	https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/projects/Avonmouth.htm
	I cannot comment on the merits of that decision.
	The Government’s position on the role of biomass power within the UK’s energy mix has been set out clearly in the UK Bioenergy Strategy (2012) which can be found on the Government’s website at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-bioenergy-strategy
	This sets out how the Government seeks to ensure the benefits of bioenergy are achieved in a way that delivers genuine carbon reductions and that fuel is sourced sustainably. The extensive sustainability requirements in place for the use of biomass fuel are set out in the UK Government Response to the consultation on biomass sustainability and the Renewables Obligation (RO), published in August 2013.
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/231102/RO_Biomass_Sustainability _consultation_-_Government_Response_22_August_2013.pdf
	In considering whether to participate in financing a biomass power project, GIB must satisfy itself that the Government’s sustainability requirements are fully met.

Higher Education: Egypt

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to encourage universities in the UK to enter into partnerships and twinning arrangements with the British university in Egypt.

David Willetts: I am keen that UK universities broaden their engagement with their Egyptian counterparts in recognition of the country’s growing research strengths. The newly created UK—Egypt Newton—Mosharafa Fund presents a real opportunity to take UK—Egypt institutional engagement to another level, by investing £20 million over five years in a bilateral partnership focused on science, research, innovation and education.
	The British university Egypt will be eligible to apply for calls once the fund is launched.

Insolvency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many outstanding protective awards to be paid by the Insolvency Service's Redundancy Payments Services are owed to firms in which less than 20 people are employed on one site.

Jennifer Willott: Under legislation, a protective award can be made where it is determined that there was insufficient consultation in situations involving 20 or more redundancies in one establishment.
	The Redundancy Payments Service makes payments, to affected employees, where an employment tribunal has made an award and the employer is insolvent.
	The Employment Appeal Tribunal, in the Woolworths case (USDAW v. WW Realisations 1 Ltd and others), decided that it should remove the European test of 'establishment' from UK law. The Department is appealing this judgment as we do not agree with this interpretation of the law.
	We think the right interpretation of the law is that employers must consult employee representatives if making 20 or more redundancies at one establishment. In a dispute, it is for the employment tribunals to decide what is an establishment on the facts of each individual case.
	Until the Woolworths appeal is determined, employment tribunals are staying (not deciding) claims from employees who worked on sites with fewer than 20 proposed redundancies and the RPS is unable to make payments to such employees.
	Information on the number of affected cases is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

McDonalds Restaurants

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had discussions with McDonald's Corporation on its relationship with trades unions in the UK.

Jennifer Willott: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has not had such a discussion with McDonald’s Corporation.

New Businesses: Government Assistance

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many start-up loans have been granted to businesses in (a) Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) the North of England in each of the last five years.

Matthew Hancock: The Start Up Loans programme commenced in 2012.
	The information is as follows:
	
		
			  Harrogate and Knaresborough North Yorkshire North of England1 
			  Loan volume Value of loans (£ million) Loan volume Value of loans £ million) Loan volume Value of loans (£ million) 
			 2012 0 0 4 0.01 54 0.23 
			 2013 52 0.31 414 2.26 2,993 16.55 
			 2014 to date 92 0.53 629 3.29 5,108 26.55 
			 1 North England comprises of values for north-east, north-west, Yorkshire and Humber. Note: All values are loans drawn down.

Paternity Pay

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people received statutory paternity pay in the latest year for which figures are available; what the total cost to the Exchequer of such pay was; and for what average length of time such pay was received.

Jennifer Willott: The Government collects data on the total amount of ordinary statutory paternity pay and additional statutory paternity pay paid to employees by employers and uses this to estimate the numbers taking paternity pay, and the size of the average claim. Ordinary statutory paternity pay and additional statutory paternity pay are payable at the lesser of 90% of salary or the statutory flat rate (£135.45 in 2012/13, currently £138.18).
	The latest available figures are as follows:
	
		
			 2012/13 Number of claimants Total claimed (£ million) Average claim (£) 
			 Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay 209,223 50.5 241.50 
			 Additional Statutory Paternity Pay 4,733 7.2 1,529 
			 Note: All figures are estimates using the HMRC CANDIF database. Figures are calculated using a 3% scan of employer national insurance returns and scaling the results up to create a 100% estimate. Scan conducted in June 2014. 
		
	
	HMRC estimates do not include the average length of time that this pay is received.

Postal Services: Rural Areas

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to ensure that the six days a week universal Royal Mail service continues in rural areas.

Jennifer Willott: The one price six-days-a-week postal delivery service to all addresses in the UK is clearly set down under the Postal Services Act 2011 as part of the minimum requirements of the UK’s universal service and can only be changed by Government with the approval of both Houses of Parliament. The protection is exactly the same for rural areas as urban areas of the UK.
	Parliament has given Ofcom the primary statutory duty to protect the ongoing provision of the universal service throughout the country and ensured that Ofcom has the regulatory powers and tools it needs to intervene if the universal service is ever at risk. More information about the regulatory framework for postal services can be found on Ofcom’s website:
	www.ofcom.org.uk

Abortion

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether all clinical staff working at abortion clinics are trained to level three of the intercollegiate framework; and if he will publish the evidence upon which that assessment is based.

Jane Ellison: All clinical staff are expected to be trained to at least level 3 of the intercollegiate framework Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and competences for healthcare staff. The senior manager or director of the clinic should be responsible for ensuring that all clinical staff have their qualifications, knowledge and skills reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they are kept up to date with current practice.
	The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC's) inspection approach includes checks on whether abortion providers have at all times sufficient numbers of suitably trained and suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff to safeguard the safety and welfare of service users. This includes making sure that there is a named safeguarding lead and that the provider has taken account of statutory guidance as set out in the intercollegiate framework. The CQC has begun to roll out a new, stronger methodology. As part of this, the arrangements for safeguarding will always be inspected.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions there were at (a) 26 weeks and (b) each week after the 26th in each category of grounds for termination in 2013.

Jane Ellison: The total number of abortions exceeding 26 weeks in 2013 are as follows:
	
		
			 Abortions by gestation 26 weeks and over, residents of England and Wales, 2013 
			 Gestation Total 
			 26 16 
			 27 18 
			 28 13 
			 29 7 
			 30 15 
			 31 7 
			 32 11 
			 33 11 
			 34 4 
			 35 7 
			 36 6 
			 37 2 
			 38 3 
			 39 1 
			 Total 121 
		
	
	All 121 abortions were performed under ground E, there is substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped (section 1(1)(d)).

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost to the NHS was of provision of abortions in (a) NHS hospitals and (b) approved independent sector places in 2013;
	(2)  what the cost to the NHS was of abortions performed (a) before the 12th week of pregnancy, (b) between the 12th and 18th weeks of pregnancy, (c) between the 18th and 24th weeks of pregnancy and (d) after the 24th week of pregnancy in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what the cost to the NHS was of provision of the morning after pill in that time.

Jane Ellison: Information on the cost of emergency contraception and information about expenditure on abortions is not collected centrally.

Autism

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that regulations and guidance under the Care Act 2014 are compatible with the Autism Act 2009 and existing autism strategies and autism statutory guidance;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Care Act 2014 Part I regulations are compatible with the revised Adult Autism Strategy (a) in general and (b) in relation to autism training for community care assessors.

Norman Lamb: The core principles of the Care Act 2014 and the regulations and statutory guidance which supports its implementation are to maintain the wellbeing of people who have care and support needs; support them in living independent lives; and ensuring there is a vibrant market to offer choice on how their needs might be met. These enhance the areas of action set out in the 2010 Autism Strategy and reaffirmed recently in Think Autism.
	The Act will require local authorities to ensure all assessors are appropriately trained to carry out assessments. This builds on the statutory guidance Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives which followed the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy for England, and which required autism awareness training to be available to all staff working in health and social care and specialist training for those in key roles that have a direct impact on access to services for adults with autism.
	Due to the complexities of assessing people who are deafblind, regulations under the Act will require their assessments to be carried out by a specialist assessor. One of the questions in the consultation document is whether specialist assessors should be required to carry out the assessment of people with other conditions, such as autism, and to explain why this should be the case. Based on the evidence we receive through the consultation we will consider if this requirement should be extended to other conditions.
	The draft regulations and guidance were co-produced with stakeholders, and this included engaging with the National Autistic Society. The public consultation runs until 15 August 2014.

Autism

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many services for adults with autism are commissioned under the Payments by Results framework.

Norman Lamb: National Tariff prices are published primarily for acute care, and relate to procedure undertaken, not the diagnosis of the patient receiving the treatment. Information is not collected on the number of services within the scope of the National Tariff that have been provided to adults with autism.

Autism

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the proposed changes to the social care system in the Care Act 2014 part 1 regulations on adults with autism;
	(2)  how many adults with autism in England receive support under the current social care system; and how many such adults will receive support under the system proposed in the Care Act 2014 part 1 regulations.

Norman Lamb: The Care Act 2014 will reform the care and support system for everyone, including adults with autism. The core principles of the Care Act 2014 and the regulations and statutory guidance which support its implementation are to maintain the well-being of people who have care and support needs and support them in living independent lives.
	The draft regulations and guidance were co-produced with stakeholders, and this included engaging with the National Autistic Society. The Department is currently consulting on the regulations and statutory guidance that will support the implementation of the Care Act 2014. The public consultation started on 6 June and runs until 15 August 2014.
	The Health and Social Care Information Centre does not collect any data on the number of adults with autism receiving support under the current, or proposed, social care systems and therefore are unable to provide a response. The national eligibility criteria being introduced under the Care Act 2014 will allow local authorities to maintain levels of access for service users when they move from the current framework to the new care and support system in April 2015.

Barrett’s Oesophagus

Mike Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to provide early diagnosis and treatment for patients with Barrett's oesophagus.

Jane Ellison: Our Be Clear on Cancer campaigns aim to raise awareness of the possible symptoms of cancer and to prompt people with the relevant symptoms to present to their general practitioner (GP). Following a local pilot which ran from April to July 2012, we ran a regional Be Clear on Cancer pilot campaign in February and March 2014, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of oesophago-gastric cancer in the North East and North Cumbria. This early diagnosis campaign also aimed to identify patients with Barrett’s oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer.
	The campaign included television, radio, press and outdoor advertising. The findings of this pilot will be evaluated by Public Health England (PHE), who works closely with the Department and NHS England to ensure that health care professionals are targeted with campaign information to encourage earlier diagnoses and referrals, before a decision is taken on whether to roll out the campaign nationally.
	Alongside supporting PHE to increase symptom awareness among the general population, NHS England are also working to increase cancer symptom awareness among health care professionals, and to provide support to GPs in early diagnosis of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. In 2013-14, NHS England made £2.3 million available to support improved symptom awareness and early diagnosis.

Cannabis

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications have been made to the (a) National Institute for Health Research and (b) Medical Research Council for funding to research medicinal cannabis products since 2010; and how many such applications have been accepted.

Daniel Poulter: Cannabis is naturally occurring plant and a Class B controlled drug; one of the main active chemicals in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis is not a medicinal product and is not licensed as a medicine in the United Kingdom and the Government has no plans to legalise raw cannabis for medicinal purposes, as cannabis has a number of acute and chronic health effects, such the possibility of developing mental health problems or harming the lungs when smoked.
	Since 2010 two applications for research funding into medicinal cannabis have been made to National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Programmes. Of these one, within the Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme, has been accepted.
	The NIHR also provides support and facilities for research by funding a range of infrastructure facilities. Since 2010 seven projects related to medicinal cannabis have been supported through the NIHR infrastructure; however it is not possible to ascertain the number of applications received as the Department, and our managing agent, does not record this information.
	Between April 2010 and March 2014 the Medical Research Council received four applications for funding for research that related to the medicinal cannabis products. Of these four applications, two were successful.

Family Practitioner Services

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion and how much of the NHS budget has been spent on general practice in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) collects data on the total expenditure on general practice, both including and excluding the cost of dispensed drugs. The latest available data is from 2012-13, and the earliest available data is 2003-04.
	General practice spend as proportion of the national health service budget is taken using the total Departmental Expenditure Limits from the Department of Health Annual Report 2012-13. The latest available data is from 2012-13, and the earliest available data is 2007-08. Substantial changes in methodology for calculating total NHS expenditure before 2007-08 mean directly comparable figures cannot be provided beyond this year to allow for like-for-like comparisons of the proportion of NHS budget spent on general practice.
	
		
			 Total spend on general practice, 2003-04 to 2012-13 (£ million) 
			  Total spend Total net of dispensing 
			 2003-04 5,811 5,006 
			 2004-05 6,914 6,061 
			 2005-06 7,747 6,864 
			 2006-07 7,757 6,943 
			 2007-08 7,867 7,053 
			 2008-09 7,961 7,145 
			 2009-10 8,321 7,514 
			 2010-11 8,350 7,543 
			 2011-12 8,397 7,607 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 8,459 7,690 
			 Source: HSCIC ‘Investment in General Practice’ (2008-09 to 2012-13) and HSCIC ‘Investment in General Practice’ (2003-04 to 2009-10) 
		
	
	
		
			 General practice spend as proportion of NHS budget, 2007-08 to 2012-13 (percentage) 
			  General practice spend as proportion of NHS Budget 
			 2007-08 9.31 
			 2008-09 8.74 
			 2009-10 8.45 
			 2010-11 8.32 
			 2011-12 8.16 
			 2012-13 8.04 
			 Source: HSCIC ‘Investment in General Practice’ (2008-09 to 2012-13), HSCIC ‘Investment in General Practice’ (2003-04 to 2009-10) and Department of Health ‘Annual Report and Accounts’ (2012-13).

Family Practitioner Services

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner surgeries are open seven days a week; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: Data is not held centrally on how many general practices are open seven days a week.
	However, the Government recognises the importance of timely access to general practice. This is why the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund has allocated £50 million to support 20 pilots to test innovative ways of improving access to general practitioner services and patient experience in their local areas. The pilots will benefit over 7.5 million patients across more than 1,110 practices, from rural areas to inner cities.
	A wide variety of approaches to improving access are being tested: extended opening hours on weekdays and weekends; better use of telecare and health apps; more innovative ways to access services by Skype, e-mail or phone; more integrated services with a single point of contact to co-ordinate patients services across health and social care.
	Learning and best practice from the pilots will be shared with the wider NHS during the course of the pilot programme.

General Practitioners

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual salary of a general practitioner was in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: The requested information is contained in the following table. When interpreting the figures, it is important to note that the nature of general practitioner (GP) contracts and their work has also changed over time. Since the start of the new General Medical Services contract in 2004-05, there have been some major changes to income, workstreams and investment in general practice.
	The table is presented in cash terms of income before tax of contractor GPs across all contract types. This excludes expenses. Taxable income before pension contributions are deducted, made up of gross earnings less total expenses, also known as net income.
	
		
			 Contractor GPs: mean average income before tax in cash terms 
			 Income by contract type (£) 
			  General Medical Services Personal Medical Services GPMS (combined GMS and PMS) 
			 1997-981,2 51,623 — — 
			 1998-993 51,455 — — 
			 1999-2000 57,620 — — 
			 2000-01 64,040 — — 
			 2001-02 66,114 — — 
			 2002-03 69,771 — — 
			 2003-04 GB 77,597 — — 
			 2003-04 UK 77,152 — — 
			 2004-054,5,6 96,322 110,164 100,170 
			 2005-06 106,312 120,272 110,004 
			 2006-077 103,530 118,499 107,667 
			 2007-08 100,324 116,059 106,072 
			 2008-098 99,200 116,300 105,300 
			 2009-10 100,400 115,300 105,700 
			 2010-11 99,000 113,400 104,100 
			 2011-12 98,300 111,600 103,000 
			 1 There was no enquiry in 1997, due to the change to self assessment of tax liability. Income tax for the self-employed changed from assessment on prior year earnings to current year earnings. Estimates of earnings and expenses were therefore taken together in 1995-96 and 1996-97. 2 The Inland Revenue changed the treatment of capital allowances in calculating tax liability for 1996-97 as part of the move from tax assessment based on prior year earnings to current year earnings. Figures relating to years between 1995-96 and 1997-98 have been adjusted to put them on a comparable basis with previous years. 3 Figures from 1998-99 onwards are not adjusted in respect of the changed treatment of capital allowances in calculating tax liability in 1996-97. Therefore they are not on a comparable basis with previous years. 4 From 2004-05 onwards, results are at UK (England, Scotland Wales, Northern Ireland) level. Prior to this, they were published at GB (England, Scotland, Wales) level. 2003-04 results are given at both GB and UK level to illustrate the small effect of this transition on the figures in that year. 5 The first wave of PMS pilots started in April 1998 beginning a downward trend in the numbers of GMS GPs, and corresponding upward trend in PMS GPs. 6 Data from 2004-05 onwards exclude an estimate of employer’s superannuation contributions for the tax year, to make the figures comparable with previous years. 7 Due to a data quality issue regarding the GMS/PMS markers in 2006-07 comparisons of income and expenses between contracts in this year should be made with a degree of caution. 8 Figures from 2008-09 onwards are rounded to the nearest £100 9 Data is for Contractor GPs only. Notes: 1. Information from the Health and Social Care Information Centre GP Earnings and Expenses Report 2011-12 tables 36, 37 and 38 which also include real term equivalent amounts, expenses and gross earnings. 2. Definitions: General Medical Services (GMS): A GMS practice is one that has a standard, nationally negotiated contract. Within this, there is some local flexibility for GPs to 'opt out' of certain services or 'opt in' to the provision of other services. Personal Medical Services (PMS): The PMS contract was introduced in 1998 in England and Scotland (as in the Section 17c agreement) as a local alternative to the national GMS contract. PMS contracts are voluntary, locally negotiated contracts between PCOs and the PMS Provider, enabling, for example, flexible provision of services in accordance with specific local circumstances. New GMS contract (nGMS): The new General Medical Service contract was designed to improve the way that Primary Medical Care services (GMS, PMS, APMS and PCTMS) were funded and to allow practices greater flexibility to determine the range of services they wish to provide, including through opting out of additional services and out-of-hours care. The nGMS contract was fully in place in 2004-05. 3. GPMS: GPMS results are those of GMS and PMS GPs put together. 4. Income before tax: Taxable income before pension contributions are deducted, made up of gross earnings less total expenses, also known as net income.

General Practitioners

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the number of general practitioners per 1,000 head of population was in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: The requested information is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 General practitioners (GPs) per head of population in England 1999-2013 
			  All GPs-hadcount1 Per 1,000 head of population-headcount All GPs-full time equivalent1 Per 1,000 head of population-full time equivalent 
			 1999 30,959 0.634 28,354 0.581 
		
	
	
		
			 2000 31,369 0.640 28,544 0.582 
			 2001 31,835 0.647 28,854 0.586 
			 2002 32,292 0.653 29,155 0.590 
			 2003 33,564 0.676 30,084 0.606 
			 2004 34,855 0.698 31,021 0.621 
			 2005 35,944 0.716 31,901 0.636 
			 2006 36,008 0.712 33,384 0.660 
			 2007 36,420 0.715 33,731 0.662 
			 2008 37,720 0.734 34,043 0.663 
			 2009 40,269 0.777 36,085 0.696 
			 20102 39,409 0.755 35,243 0.675 
			 20112 39,780 0.756 35,319 0.671 
			 20122 40,265 0.758 35,871 0.675 
			 20132 40,236 0.752 36,294 0.678 
			 1 All GPs includes GP providers, salaried/other GPs, GP Registrars (trainers) and GP retainers. 2 The new headcount methodology is not fully comparable with data for years prior to 2010, due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Headcount totals are unlikely to equal the sum of components. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication. Notes: 1. GP data as at 30 September for each year except in 1999 when GP figures as at 1 October. 2. Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates used are the latest available at the time of the relevant GP Census, and are always a year behind the GP figures. So, 2013 GP figures use mid-year 2012 population estimates, 2012 GP figures use mid-year 2011 population estimates etc. Sources: The Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics Office for National Statistics: Mid-Year Population Estimates

General Practitioners

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to introduce charges for general practitioner appointments; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: The Government believes that the national health service should be free at the point of use and there are no plans to introduce charges for general practitioner appointments.

General Practitioners

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to improve the service provided by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: The Department has recently set out its ambitions for primary care in publishing Transforming Primary Care. A copy has been placed in the Library. The changes to the general practitioner (GP) contract for this year will help ensure that patients aged over 75 and those with the most complex needs receive more personalised and proactive care.
	The Government has also invested £50 million, through the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund, to develop new ways of improving access to GP services.
	The Department has recognised the need to increase the GP work force and between September 2010 and September 2013, the number of full time equivalent GPs has risen by 1,051. Additionally, the Department has included in the Health Education England (HEE) mandate a requirement that
	“HEE will ensure that 50% of trainees completing foundation level training enter GP training programmes by 2016”.

General Practitioners

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of daily patient consultations per general practitioner was in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: Data are not held centrally on the average number of daily patient consultations per general practitioner (GP) for each of the last 15 years.
	However, some information about trends in consultation rates in general practice was published in 2009 (‘Trends in Consultations Rates in General Practice—1995-2009’). More recent data than these are not available.
	The data includes consultations by nurses and other clinicians, as well as GPs.
	
		
			 Estimated numbers of consultations for a typical practice in England, 1995-96 to 2008-09 
			 Financial year Crude estimated number of consultations for a typical practice in England Median practice estimates Lower quartile Upper quartile 
			 1995-96 21,300 22,000 17,900 25,700 
			 1996-97 21,600 22,600 17,800 25,900 
			 1997-98 22,600 23,300 18,800 27,400 
			 1998-99 22,600 23,300 18,400 27,600 
			 1999-2000 22,900 23,500 18,800 27,800 
			 2000-01 24,500 25,100 20,200 29,900 
			 2001-02 25,400 25,900 21,200 30,600 
			 2002-03 26,500 26,900 22,700 31,500 
			 2003-04 28,200 28,400 23,900 32,900 
			 2004-05 30,400 30,000 26,100 35,000 
			 2005-06 32,200 31,900 27,500 37,100 
			 2006-07 33,000 32,700 28,400 38,200 
			 2007-08 33,400 32,900 28,400 38,300 
			 2008-09 34,600 34,100 29,600 39,300 
			 Source: Table 8, Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice—1995-2009, QResearch and Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 
		
	
	
		
			 Estimated proportion of patients seen by GPs, nurses and by other clinicians, 1995-96 to 2008-09 
			 Percentage 
			 Financial year GPs Nurses Other clinicians 
			 1995-96 75 21 3 
			 1996-97 74 22 4 
			 1997-98 72 23 4 
			 1998-99 71 24 5 
			 1999-2000 70 26 5 
			 2000-01 68 27 5 
			 2001-02 67 29 5 
			 2002-03 66 30 4 
			 2003-04 65 31 4 
			 2004-05 63 33 4 
			 2005-06 62 34 4 
			 2006-07 62 34 4 
		
	
	
		
			 2007-08 62 34 4 
			 2008-09 62 34 4 
			 Source: Table 4, Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice—1995-2009, QResearch and Health and Social Care Information Centre

General Practitioners

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department gathers on the number of people who move to another GP practice.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre has advised that data on the number of people changing general practitioner practice each year is not collected centrally.

General Practitioners

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on GP practice lists in (a) England and (b) each county; and how many people have been removed involuntarily from such lists in (i) England and (ii) each county in each of the last 12 months.

Daniel Poulter: The following table shows the number of people on general practitioner (GP) practice lists and in each NHS England Area Team in England as at 30 September 2013. We do not hold this information by each county in England.
	We do not hold the information centrally on how many people have been removed involuntarily from GP practice lists.
	Under the terms of their contracts, GP practices must have reasonable grounds to remove a patient from their practice list which do not relate to the patient’s race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.
	
		
			 GP Registered Patients 
			   Number 
			 England  56,007,348 
			 Q49 Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 1,989,458 
			 Q45 Durham, Darlington and Tees 1,224,872 
			 Q50 North Yorkshire and Humber 1,689,042 
			 Q47 Lancashire 1,521,721 
			 Q52 West Yorkshire 2,435,786 
			 Q48 Merseyside 1,257,011 
			 Q46 Greater Manchester 2,880,262 
			 Q44 Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral 1,279,416 
			 Q51 South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw 1,506,383 
			 Q55 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire 2,049,773 
			 Q59 Leicestershire and Lincolnshire 1,822,274 
			 Q60 Shropshire and Staffordshire 1,591,314 
			 Q54 Birmingham and the Black Country 2,615,060 
			 Q53 Arden, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 1,693,801 
			 Q58 Hertfordshire and the South Midlands 2,831,463 
			 Q56 East Anglia 2,511,745 
			 Q57 Essex 1,801,428 
			 Q71 London 8,978,299 
			 Q69 Thames Valley 2,160,146 
			 Q64 Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire 1,520,942 
			 Q65 Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset & South Gloucs 1,507,605 
			 Q66 Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 1,745,638 
		
	
	
		
			 Q70 Wessex 2,789,815 
			 Q68 Surrey and Sussex 2,813,739 
			 Q67 Kent and Medway 1,790,355 
			 Notes: 1. Data as at 30 September 2013. 2. Figures show numbers of patient registrations at GP practices in England. Owing to multiple registrations and other issues the numbers of registered patients in England are higher each year than ONS Resident population estimates, and as such these figures may not represent the actual number of people registered to access GP services in a given area. 3. General and Personal Medical Services statistics are only available by NHS organisations and do not map precisely into English county regions. 4. GP Registered Patient figures by Area Team are based on the location of the GP practice to which the patients are registered. 5. Data on numbers of people who have been removed involuntarily from GP lists is not published within the Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics. Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Source: The Health and social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Health Education: Sex

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to support FPA Sexual Health Week 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The Department does not directly support the Family Planning Association's (FPA) Sexual Health Week. However, the Department holds a three year contract with the FPA which runs to 31 March 2015 totalling £1.130 million for a sexual health information service. This provides information to the public and healthcare professionals on all aspects of contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

Health Education: Sex

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote best practice for sexual health amongst local authorities and (b) disseminate good practice shown by local authorities on sexual health.

Jane Ellison: The Government’s ambitions for sexual health are set out in A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England (March 2013); a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. The first annual review of progress towards the ambitions in the Framework is in development and will include case studies of good and promising local practice. The Department, in partnership with other organisations including Public Health England, Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Public Health, has also produced a number of documents to assist local authorities to fulfil their new role in relation to sexual health commissioning.

Influenza: Vaccination

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) NHS staff, (b) pregnant women and (c) pensioners took up influenza vaccinations in each of the last four years for which figures are available.

Jane Ellison: Data for England on the number of seasonal influenza vaccinations administered by primary care and national health service trusts to target groups have been derived from the Annual Influenza Vaccine Uptake Reports published by Public Health England (PHE).
	Annual influenza vaccine uptake for health care workers (HCWs) (England) is reported in the following table. Influenza vaccination is offered to front-line health care or social care professionals directly involved in patient care.
	
		
			 Influenza vaccine uptake for front-line HCWs with direct patient care 
			  Number of HCWs with direct patient care Number of vaccines administered Vaccine uptake (%) 
			 2010-11 1,035,219 359,080 34.7 
			 2011-12 1,023,679 456,542 44.6 
			 2012-13 1,023,763 466,601 45.6 
			 2013-14 974,632 534,090 54.8 
		
	
	Annual influenza vaccine uptake for pregnant women (England) are presented in the following table. Influenza vaccination has been offered to all pregnant women (includes those ‘not’ in a clinical at-risk group and those ‘in’ a clinical at-risk group) since the 2010-11 flu season.
	
		
			 Influenza vaccine uptake for pregnant women 
			  Number of patients registered Number of vaccines administered Vaccine uptake (%) 
			 2010-11 318,562 121,164 38.0 
			 2011-12 710,554 195,031 27.4 
			 2012-13 713,740 287,561 40.3 
			 2013-14 659,223 262,081 39.8 
		
	
	Annual influenza vaccine uptake for people aged 65 and over (England) are presented in the following table. Influenza vaccination is offered to this group.
	
		
			 Influenza vaccine uptake in those aged 65 years and over 
			  Number of patients registered Number of vaccines administered Vaccine uptake (%) 
			 2010-11 8,631,137 6,287,011 72.8 
			 2011-12 9,138,632 6,764,364 74.0 
			 2012-13 9,377,661 6,881,636 73.4 
			 2013-14 9,646,433 7,062,210 73.2 
			 Source: PHE Influenza Immunisation Vaccine Uptake Monitoring Programme.

Influenza: Vaccination

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost to the NHS was of providing free flu vaccinations in each of the last four years for which figures are available.

Jane Ellison: NHS England spent a total of £251 million on immunisation programmes in 2013-14. Of this, £89 million is identifiable as relating to the purchase of flu vaccines for adults and the administration of flu vaccines for both adults and children.
	Vaccines for the national childhood immunisation programme, including for childhood flu immunisation from 2013-14, are purchased and managed by Public Health England on behalf of the Department and are not a cost for the national health service. The cost of the vaccine and its storage and distribution are commercially confidential.
	Data for NHS spend for the years prior to 2013-14 is not held centrally.

Learning Disability

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people with a learning disability placed in assessment and treatment units (ATUs) had their placements reviewed between December 2012 and June 2013; how many such people were found to have been placed there inappropriately; and how many of those found to have been inappropriately placed in ATUs have since been moved into the community;
	(2)  with reference to the oral statement of 10 December 2012 made by the Minister of State, Department of Health, Official Report, column 49, on Winterbourne View, how many meetings the Minister has had with (a) officials in his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government to discuss progress on the commitments made in that statement.

Norman Lamb: NHS England’s paper “Implementing the Recommendations of the Government’s Response to the Francis Report and its Winterbourne Review Report” confirms that during the period 12 December 2012 to June 2013 for clinical commissioning groups there were 1,279 reviews completed and 38 were outstanding. These have all now been completed. By October 2013, NHS England identified a further 1,360 people in specialised services commissioned by NHS England. 1,303 of these people had their care reviewed by the end of 2013 and 57 people were identified as no longer requiring a review. Using these data, NHS England calculates that 35% of people who were in hospital on 1 April 2013 have now been transferred to another setting.
	NHS England is identifying all people with learning disabilities in in-patient settings to ensure that they receive safe, appropriate, high quality care. NHS England is now collecting data quarterly for this purpose. It has recently published data as of March 2014. These data show that 2,615 people were identified as being in in-patient services with 2,334 of these people having had their care reviewed within the last 26 weeks. These data do not specifically identify people in in-patient settings within the specific period (December 2012 to June 2013) as a separate cohort.
	NHS England’s data does not identify people as being in ‘assessment and treatment units’ but use other categories of in-patient beds, settings and units drawn from categorisation developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and also used in the learning disability census. The data identifies those people who are expected to transfer, as well as those who have no transfer date. The reviews of people’s care identify those individuals for whom it is appropriate to move to alternative settings.
	I have had several meetings with Department officials and NHS England to discuss progress on the commitments made in my oral statement of 10 December 2012, Official Report, column 49, in the House of Commons, but have had no meetings with Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government about these commitments.

Liver Diseases

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the strategy for combating liver disease referred to in the Prime Minister's message of support for World Hepatitis Day, published on the 10 Downing Street website on 28 July 2011.

Jane Ellison: Responsibility for determining the overall national approach to improving clinical outcomes from healthcare services, including services for people with liver disease, lies with NHS England.
	NHS England advises that it is adopting a broad strategy for delivering improvements in relation to premature mortality. It is working with commissioners and Public Health England to support clinical commissioning groups to understand where local challenges lie and to identify the evidence in relation to the priorities for reducing mortality at a national level. NHS England is generally not working within a condition specific framework and has no plans to produce a liver specific strategy.

Meningitis: Vaccination

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department plans to begin negotiations with Novartis on the procurement of the vaccine for meningitis B as part of the primary infant immunisation schedule.

Jane Ellison: The Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure this procurement is properly conducted.
	We are committed to introducing this vaccine in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s recommendation, subject to the vaccine being available at a cost-effective price.

Mental Health

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recommendations in Take action for better mental health, published by the charity Mind.

Norman Lamb: This Government has made its commitment to mental health explicit in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Our priorities for the next 15 months, set out in Closing the Gap, our mental health action plan, anticipate many of the key actions set out in Take Action for Mental Health, Mind's manifesto for better mental health for the 2015 general election.
	We are committed to stamping out discrimination and have already made a financial commitment of up to £16 million to the Time to Change campaign.
	We have already committed more than £450 million to improve access to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approved psychological therapies, including £54 million for the Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies project which will transform Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. We are actively incentivising clinical commissioning groups to increase access to psychological therapies through the Quality Premium scheme, which provides additional funding to those that meet key goals.
	The Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat, signed by more than 20 national organisations, is a commitment for agencies involved in supporting someone in a crisis to work together to improve the system of care and support so people in crisis are kept safe and helped to find the support they need. All the signatories have committed to working together and the expectation is that, in every locality in England, local partnerships of health, criminal justice and local authority agencies will agree and commit to local Mental Health Crisis Declarations.
	We are supporting employers to help more people with mental health problems to remain in or move into work. We are also developing new approaches to help people with mental health problems who are unemployed to move into work; and to support them when they are unable to work.
	Public Health England (PHE) will be launching an action plan for wellbeing and mental health in the autumn. This is one part of PHE's commitment to embedding wellbeing and mental health in its work and working towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health.

Midwives

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives were in receipt of a bursary in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what the average bursary paid to a student midwife was in each of those years; and what the total cost of those bursaries was to his Department in each of those years.

Daniel Poulter: The number of midwifery students who were in receipt of a bursary, the average bursary paid to those students and the total cost of all bursaries paid to student midwives in each of the last three academic years can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of bursary holders1 Average amount paid per bursary holder2 (£) Total amount paid 2 (£) 
			 2010-11 5,218 5,722 29,854,947 
			 2011-12 5,345 5,867 31,358,058 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 5,448 6,121 33,344,511 
			 1 Includes nil award holders (European Union fees only students and students whose living allowance element of the bursary has been reduced to nil after income assessment) 2 Includes the basic award and all supplementary allowances and one off payments. Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest pound. Source: NHS Business Services Authority

Midwives

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training places for student midwives were commissioned in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: The following table provides the number of new midwifery training places for the period 2011-12 to 2013-14. The table includes students enrolled on the degree and 18-month diploma courses.
	
		
			  Total midwife commissions 
			 2011-12 2,484 
			 2012-13 2,578 
			 2013-14 2,507 
			 Source: Multi professional education and training budget monitoring returns.

Midwives

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the age profile of midwives working for the NHS was in each year since 2001.

Daniel Poulter: The national health service annual work force census published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre shows the age profile of midwives working for the NHS in England as at 30 September each year. The age profile of midwives working in the NHS from 2001 to 2013 is shown in the following table. The data is headcount because equality data relates to individuals.
	
		
			 NHS hospital and community health services: Registered midwives in England by age band as at 30 September each specified year 
			 Headcount 
			  Under 25 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 65 and over Unknown All staff 
			 2001 563 1,483 2,896 4,972 4,442 3,093 2,409 1,334 306 8 - 21,506 
			 2002 571 1,467 2,542 4,811 4,705 3,372 2,380 1,495 348 13 - 21,704 
			 2003 682 1,586 2,405 4,524 4,990 3,584 2,466 1,592 404 25 - 22,258 
			 2004 671 1,707 2,279 4,255 5,224 3,943 2,594 1,738 473 46 - 22,930 
			 2005 648 1,949 2,238 3,798 5,224 4,225 2,752 1,716 532 63 - 23,145 
			 2006 559 2,034 2,281 3,339 5,167 4,386 2,920 1,779 591 57 - 23,113 
			 2007 549 2,102 2,366 3,142 5,098 4,623 3,139 1,750 689 70 - 23,528 
			 2008 640 2,187 2,401 2,968 4,787 4,757 3,313 1,798 717 91 - 23,659 
		
	
	
		
			 2009 710 2,175 2,641 2,900 4,490 5,014 3,591 1,890 770 132 - 24,313 
			              
			 20101 802 2,193 2,839 2,906 4,212 5,156 3,858 2,010 822 139 1 24,938 
			 2011 924 2,283 2,973 2,978 3,844 5,163 4,094 2,100 835 122 - 25,316 
			 2012 1,028 2,404 3,079 2,930 3,632 5,078 4,278 2,268 820 137 - 25,654 
			 2013 1,163 2,641 3,175 2,945 3,358 4,851 4,467 2,345 809 156 - 25,910 
			 ‘-’= zero 1 The new headcount methodology from 2010 onwards is not fully comparable with previous years data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication. Note: These statistics relate to the contracted positions within English NHS organisations and may include those where the person assigned to the position is temporarily absent, for example on maternity leave. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Nurses

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist nurses are available for children suffering from (a) epilepsy and (b) mental health in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) the UK.

Daniel Poulter: The current numbers of specialist nurses for children suffering from epilepsy and mental health problems available in North Yorkshire and the United Kingdom are not collected centrally. The national health service annual workforce census provides information on the number of nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed in the NHS in England but does not identify specialist nurses separately.
	The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) holds a register of nurses and midwives registered to practise in the UK. Nurses must be registered with the NMC to work as a nurse. To keep their registration up to date, nurses also need to renew their registration every three years. The register does not include details of nursing specialties.
	More information is available at the NMC website at
	www.nmc-uk.org/
	The provision of health services in the UK is a devolved issue. The contacts for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are available from the following links:
	Northern Ireland:
	www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index.htm
	Scotland:
	www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health
	Wales:
	www.wales.gov.uk/topics/health?lang=en
	The Government has supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing. It is for local NHS organisations with their knowledge of the healthcare needs of their local population to invest in training for specialist skills and to deploy specialist nurses. In this context, the Government recognises that more could be done by some local healthcare organisations to prioritise preventative care and better support children’s needs. Specialist nurses can play an important role in this which can both save the NHS money and, more importantly, provide better care for patients.

Patient Choice Schemes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS outpatient appointments were made through Choose and Book in each quarter of 2013-14 and to date in the first quarter of 2014-15.

Daniel Poulter: Quarterly Choose and Book utilisation data is available for each month and each quarter of the 2013-14 financial year and is set out in the following table.
	When reviewing the table, it is important to note that utilisation is calculated as the percentage of referrals made to first consultant-led out-patient services using the Choose and Book system, compared to the total number of referrals made to first out-patient services, as reported by provider organisations.
	Each month this represents around 500,000 referrals being made from general practitioner (GP) practices to first consultant-led out-patient services through Choose and Book. Use of Choose and Book is, however, significantly greater than this with an additional 200,000 or so referrals per month being booked to other out-patient services, which include Allied Health Professionals, GPs with Special Interests diagnostic and assessment services. These are not currently included as part of the utilisation figures as the denominator data is not currently reported at a national level.
	
		
			 Utilisation breakdown—monthly and quarterly for 2013-14 financial year 
			  Percentage of NHS first out-patient appointments made through Choose and Book Average quarterly (%) 
			 2013   
			 April 52 52 
			 May 52  
			 June 52  
			    
			 July 52 53 
			 August 53  
			 September 53  
			    
			 October 53 52 
			 November 52  
			 December 51  
			    
			 2014   
			 January 54 Unavailable at present 
			 February 52  
			 March Data not validated  
		
	
	Data for the first quarter of 2014-15 is currently being validated by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It is expected that this information will be available in July 2014.

Patients

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were seen by (a) general practitioners and (b) accident and emergency staff in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Jane Ellison: Information about numbers of patients seen by general practitioners (GPs) is available in Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice-1995-2009. This report estimates the number of consultations by GPs, nurses and other primary care clinicians in England using statistical techniques based on a sample. Consultations include visits to surgery, telephone consultations, home visits and consultations at other locations. Information is not available for years after 2008.
	Information about numbers of patients seen by accident and emergency (A&E) staff is available from weekly situation reports about A&E activity and waiting times.
	Such information as is available for the last 15 years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Numbers of GP consultations and A&E attendances in England, 1999-2000 to 2013-141 
			 Calendar year GP consultations 
			 1999 155,500,000 
			 2000 155,100,000 
			 2001 161,900,000 
			 2002 162,100,000 
			 2003 168,900,000 
			 2004 170,900,000 
			 2005 175,400,000 
			 2006 181,400,000 
			 2007 185,300,000 
			 2008 189,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial year A&E attendances2, 3 
			 1999-2000 14,629,025 
			 2000-01 14,293,307 
			 2001-02 14,044,018 
			 2002-03 14,045,575 
			 2003-04 16,516,845 
			 2004-05 17,837,180 
			 2005-06 18,759,164 
			 2006-07 18,922,275 
			 2007-08 19,076,831 
			 2008-09 19,588,344 
			 2009-10 20,511,908 
			 2010-11 21,380,985 
			 2011-12 21,481,402 
			 2012-13 21,738,637 
			 2013-14 21,778,946 
			 1 Information on GP consultations is for calendar years. Information on A&E attendances is for financial years. It is not possible to show both datasets on a consistent calendar or financial year basis. 2 KH09 data is used from 1987-88 to 2001-02. Quarterly Monitoring of Accident and Emergency data is used from 2002-03 to 2010-11. Weekly situation reports are used from 2011-12 onwards. 3 Attendance data are for all A&E department types, including major A&Es departments, single speciality departments, and minor injury units. In 2002-03, attendance data was first collected split by type, but not from walk-in centres (WiCs). Data from WiCs was first collected in 2003-04. Hence, data prior to 2003-04 is not comparable. Sources: Trends in Consultation Rates in General Practice-1995-2009, Health and Social Care Information Centre Accident and emergency weekly situation reports, NHS England

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, columns 27-8W, on pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, what payments have been made to the devolved administrations in the financial year 2014-15 to date; and what payments were made to the devolved administrations in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years under the iteration of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme which has applied from 1 January 2014.

Norman Lamb: To date, no payments have been made to the devolved administrations in respect of the 2014 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) in financial year 2014-15. Constructive discussions have taken place with the Department and the devolved Administrations to identify a fair allocation of receipts received under the PPRS. Agreement on the allocations for financial year 2013-14 has been reached and the Department intends to make the payments for that financial year within the next month.

Prescription Drugs

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on replacing branded drug prescriptions with generic drug prescriptions; how much from the NHS drugs budget has been saved as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) publication ‘Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community, Statistics for England—2002-12’, contains a series of statistical tables, one of which, table A5: ‘Generic prescribing and dispensing, percentage by class, 2002–12’, provided an 11 year time series of data on generic prescribing. Information from this is provided in the table. The next edition of this publication, which will contain 2013 data, is due to be published by the
	HSCIC on 9 July 2014. The Department has not made an estimate of the savings that have resulted from greater use of generics.
	
		
			 Generic prescribing and dispensing, percentage by class, 2002–12 
			  Percentage  
			 Prescription items Prescribed generically (class 1 and 2) Prescribed and dispensed generically (class 1) Prescribed generically, dispensed and reimbursed as proprietary (class 2) Total number (million) 
			 2002 76.0 53.0 23.0 600.0 
			 2003 77.8 55.4 22.4 631.8 
			 2004 79.1 57.8 21.3 667.6 
			 2005 80.1 59.3 20.8 700.7 
			 2006 81.8 62.2 19.6 730.3 
			 2007 82.6 64.1 18.5 773.2 
			 2008 82.6 65.0 17.7 818.6 
			 2009 82.8 66.1 16.7 861.0 
			 2010 82.7 67.4 15.4 900.1 
			 2011 83.0 68.9 14.1 933.2 
			 2012 83.6 72.7 10.8 970.2 
		
	
	
		
			 Net ingredient cost 
			  Percentage Percentage Percentage Value £ million 
			 2002 68.0 19.9 48.1 6,509.4 
			 2003 70.3 23.7 46.6 7,139.5 
			 2004 71.1 26.3 44.7 7,677.6 
			 2005 70.8 26.4 44.4 7,500.6 
			 2006 71.9 29.5 42.4 7,724.0 
			 2007 71.8 29.1 42.7 7,868.4 
			 2008 70.3 26.2 44.1 7,790.7 
			 2009 69.9 28.3 41.5 7,966.6 
			 2010 69.3 29.6 39.7 8,232.0 
			 2011 68.3 29.8 38.5 8,164.4 
			 2012 66.3 34.7 31.7 7,840.4 
			 Notes: 1. The share of prescription items written generically has risen to 83.6%, a slight increase on the previous year. The share of the associated net ingredient cost has continued to decrease, from 68.3% to 66.3%. This is the lowest value in the last 10 years. 2. The proportion of prescription items dispensed generically continues to increase, from 68.9% in 2011 to 72.7% in 2012. The increase in the share of the associated net ingredient cost rose from 29.8% to 34.7%. 3. The prescribing of drugs by approved (generic) name has been encouraged, largely because such prescriptions can be dispensed with a generic product if available. Generally generic medicines (where the patent has expired) are less expensive, although this is not always the case. The rate of generic prescribing may not rise much further if it has reached a clinically appropriate level for the drugs currently available. 4. The proportion of generically prescribed items which were dispensed generically has risen in each year, from 53.0% in 2002 to 72.7% in 2012. The proportion that was dispensed as proprietary items, when there was no generic version available, has fallen each year since 2002, to 10.8% in 2012. This may indicate that more generic products are available and that the number of proprietary-only products is falling. The proportion of net ingredient cost for items that were dispensed as proprietary items is the lowest it has been in the last 10 years, having fallen each year since 2008. 5. In 2012 the 72.7% of items prescribed and dispensed generically account for 34.7% of the net ingredient cost. The 10.8% of items which were written generically and dispensed as proprietary accounted for 31.7% of the net ingredient cost. Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre

Radiotherapy: West Sussex

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will estimate the number of cancer patients from (a) West Sussex and (b) Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency who received radiotherapy at hospitals in (i) Portsmouth, (ii) Brighton, (iii) Guildford and (iv) elsewhere outside West Sussex since May 2007;
	(2)  how many cancer patients from (a) the coastal West Sussex area and (b) Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency received radiotherapy at hospitals in (i) Portsmouth, (ii) Brighton, (iii) Guildford and (iv) elsewhere outside West Sussex in 2013-14.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following tables.
	
		
			 Finished admission episodes (FAEs) with a primary diagnosis of cancer and a primary or secondary procedure of radiotherapy 
			  Residents in West Sussex PCT Area 
			  Treatment in: 
			  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Elsewhere 
			 May 2007-08 1— 17 11 42 
			 2008-09 38 22 31 19 
			 2009-10 40 20 33 23 
			 2010-11 38 10 36 51 
			 2011-12 31 7 50 40 
			 2012-13 45 22 49 33 
			 2013-14 55 16 14 19 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre 
		
	
	
		
			 Finished admission episodes (FAEs) with a primary diagnosis of cancer and a primary or secondary procedure of radiotherapy 
			  Residents in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton parliamentary constituency 
			  Treatment in: 
			  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Elsewhere 
			 May 2007-08 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2008-09 11 1— 1— 1— 
			 2009-10 19 1— 1— 0 
			 2010-11 15 0 0 29 
			 2011-12 14 0 1— 11 
			 2012-13 20 1— 1— 1— 
			 2013-14 21 1— 1— 6 
			 1 Small numbers This is for figures between 1 and 5 to protect patient confidentiality. Notes: 1. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. It should be noticed that the data has been limited to inpatient activity as the recording of diagnoses and procedures in the outpatient dataset is not mandatory. These treatments have taken place in English NHS Hospitals and as English NHS commissioned activity in the private sector. 2. Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 3. Number of episodes with a main or secondary procedure The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in an HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under-going a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. 4. PCT of residence The primary care trust (PCT) containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another area for treatment. A change in methodology in 2011-12 resulted in an increase in the number of records where the PCT of residence was unknown. From 2006-07 to 2010-11 the current PCT of residence fields were populated from the recorded patient postcode. In order to improve data completeness, if the postcode was unknown the PCT, strategic health authority (SHA) and country of residence were populated from the PCT/SHA value supplied by the provider. From April 2011-12 onwards if the patient postcode is unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence are listed as unknown. 5. Parliamentary constituency of residence The parliamentary constituency containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another parliamentary constituency for treatment. This field is only available from 2008-09 onwards. 6. Assessing growth through time (Admitted patient care) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to tackle sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men.

Jane Ellison: Last year the Department published a Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England which highlights the importance of reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men who have sex with men (MSM). The Department also funds the Terrence Higgins Trust for the HIV Prevention England programme which targets MSM and African communities and includes action to support sustained condom use and other behaviours that prevent HIV and other STIs in both communities. Public Health England will launch the initial findings on the work to develop their MSM framework on 27 June and they will finalise and publish the framework in the next couple of months.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans he has in place to deal with an outbreak of Ebola virus in the UK.

Jane Ellison: The national health service has plans in place to deal with patients with infectious diseases as part of its core business. This includes plans to manage patients in line with infection control procedures, and where necessary in highly specialist infectious diseases facilities. A patient with Ebola virus infection would be cared for in the national High Level Isolation Unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. In the unlikely event of an outbreak involving more than two people, specialist staff at this unit are trained and prepared to look after patients safely in an isolation ward, which would be dedicated for this purpose.
	In the UK, the procedures outlined in the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens guidelines, “The Management of Hazard Group 4 viral haemorrhagic fevers and similar human infectious diseases of nigh consequence”, are followed for any suspected case.
	Public Health England has assessed the risk of importation of Ebola in the UK as very low. It is extremely unlikely that an outbreak of Ebola would occur in the UK even if there was to be an imported case, as there are factors operating in West Africa which would not be seen in the UK.

Voluntary Organisations

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total value of public service contracts that were awarded by (a) his Department and (b) NHS bodies to voluntary sector organisations in the last year for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: The total value of public service contracts awarded by the Department on voluntary sector organisations’ contracts in 2012-13 was £39.77 million and for NHS bodies, which is taken to mean primary care trusts (PCTs), the equivalent was £542.76 million.
	Prior to their abolition in 2013, the vast majority of health care commissioned by the NHS was directly through PCTs, who were responsible for commissioning health care from providers based on the needs of their local population.
	2013-14 information for both the Department and NHS bodies will not be available until the Department’s annual report and accounts 2013-14 are published later in the year.